Seventeen year-old to appear in Rossland court Thursday for illegal activity utilizing social media site
By Nelson Daily Staff
A 17-year-old youth is to appear in Rossland court Thursday charged with 47 counts that include impersonation with intent, extortion, uttering threats, communicate via computer to lure a child under the age of 18, obtaining sexual services of a person under the age of 18 and invitation to sexual touching.
The youth cannot be named because of his age.
These charges are the result of an ongoing police investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior by the suspect on a social media site with victims residing in the Trail and the greater district area.
It is believed that the suspect communicated with the victims, ranging in ages between 10 to 14 years old, for the purpose of having them perform sexual acts over their web cameras and to arrange face to face meetings with them.
The incidents were alleged to have taken place between June 1, 2009 through November 2, 2011.
The initial report of these actions were reported to police on November 14, 2011.
Through an intensive investigation a suspect was identified and then arrested on November 18, 2011.
A search warrant was obtained leading to the seizure of digital equipment.
The suspect was brought before a Judicial Justice of the Peace and was released on an Undertaking Given to a Judge or Justice of the Peace with strict conditions and a first appearance date in early December.
The police investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be expected.
This case highlights the need for all parents to carefully monitor their children’s activity on social media sites and to educate them in online safety.
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